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Abu Dhabi to host World Conservation Congress 2025

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The UAE has won the bid to host the World Conservation Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2025 in Abu Dhabi. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) submitted the bid on behalf of Abu Dhabi and the UAE government.

The results were announced on May 25, following approval of the IUCN’s bid evaluation committee recommendations to the IUCN Governing Council at its meeting held in Gland, Switzerland from May 23rd-25th 2023. The IUCN Council is chaired by the president and consists of elected members from across all the regions as well as a Chair of Commissions and is the body responsible for the oversight and general control of all IUCN affairs.

The successful bid to host the IUCN World Conservation Congress in 2025 further reaffirms the UAE and its leadership’s commitment to environmental conservation, climate change action and sustainability. Abu Dhabi continues to be at the forefront of nature conservation by building strong relations with key international environmental organisations such as the IUCN. The agency’s Managing Director, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, is the current President of the IUCN, while the EAD’s Secretary-General, Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, is a Global Councillor.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of EAD, said, “Winning the bid to host the IUCN Congress in 2025 is significant and a reflection of the vision of our President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It will be an opportunity to showcase UAE’s conservation leadership in protecting and restoring endangered species, both in the country and globally.

Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, affirmed that the selection of Abu Dhabi as the host city for the 2025 International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conference is another honour added to the UAE’s record full of accomplishments, particularly in the field of environmental, natural, and climate preservation, during the Year of Sustainability.

Almheiri said, “Since its inception, the UAE has prioritised environmental conservation and has made tremendous local and international efforts to enhance biodiversity and protect endangered species. Hosting this conference is a crowning achievement for the UAE and underscores our leading global status in taking on larger responsibilities in these areas. Our role as host of this year’s Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) reiterates the UAE’s influential position as a leading global partner in steering efforts to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our times – climate change, environmental preservation, and the prevention of natural resource wastage.

Established in 1948, IUCN has evolved into the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network. Today the organisation is well known for its knowledge products, such as the Red List of Species, Red List of Ecosystems, Key Biodiversity Areas and the Green Lists which are widely used in setting conservation priorities for threatened species, ecosystems and in identification of important areas for protection.

– WAM

Health

UAE to India travellers face new mandatory health declaration 

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If you’re travelling from the UAE to India, there’s a new travel requirement you shouldn’t miss.

India has introduced Air Suvidha 2.0, a mandatory online health declaration system for all international arrivals. The form must be completed within 24 hours before your flight and is required before passengers are allowed to board.

The new system was introduced by India’s civil aviation authorities as a precautionary measure in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.

What is Air Suvidha 2.0?

Air Suvidha 2.0 is an online self-declaration portal where travellers must provide their recent travel and health information before flying to India.

Passengers will be asked to submit details including:

  • Their travel history over the past 21 days
  • Any possible exposure to infectious diseases
  • Whether they are experiencing any related symptoms

Once the form is submitted, it is automatically shared with the Airport Health Organisation (APHO) under India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Is the form mandatory?

Yes. All international passengers travelling to India are required to complete the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form before boarding their flight.

Airlines may ask passengers to show proof that the form has been submitted before allowing them to travel.

Do you need a printed copy?

No. After submitting the form, travellers will receive a confirmation by email, which can simply be shown on a mobile phone upon arrival in India. There’s no need to carry a printed copy.

Completing the form in advance also helps speed up the arrival process by reducing paperwork at the airport.

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Announcements

Good news for businesses: Sharjah slashes fees and fines

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Businesses in Sharjah can now benefit from a range of temporary fee reductions after Sharjah Police unveiled a new package of incentives aimed at easing costs and supporting the emirate’s business community.

The measures, introduced in line with a decision by the Sharjah Executive Council, include 50% discounts on several security-related fees, along with reduced fines and lower training costs for companies.

What discounts are available?

Under the new initiative, eligible businesses will receive:

  • 50% off security permit renewal fees for commercial activities
  • 50% off security system subscription fees
  • 50% reduction on eligible violations and fines
  • 20% off mandatory training programme fees for companies

Sharjah Police said the initiative is designed to support commercial establishments, encourage business sustainability and further strengthen the emirate’s position as an attractive destination for investment.

How long will the discounts last?

The incentives will be available for three months from the date the decision comes into effect.

Businesses seeking more information about the discounts and eligibility can contact the Sharjah Police Call Centre on 901.

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India

Waiting for Indian passport services in the UAE? Here’s the latest update

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Indian nationals in the UAE will have to wait a little longer for regular passport, visa and attestation services to resume.

The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai have announced that they will continue offering only emergency consular services until July 1, extending the temporary suspension of routine services by an additional day.

In a post on the missions’ official X account, the embassy said emergency requests for passports, visas, attestation and other consular services will continue to be processed during the transition period.

Why the delay?

The extension comes as the Indian missions complete the handover of outsourced passport, visa and attestation services to Alhind Tours and Travel LLC, which is set to begin operations in the UAE from July 1.

Under the transition plan, previous service providers BLS International and SGIVS Global stopped accepting new applications after June 25, while regular appointments were suspended from June 26.

The missions said the extension is due to administrative reasons.

Need urgent assistance?

Applicants with emergency requirements can contact the Indian missions through:

The embassy said details about the resumption of normal services from July 2 onwards will be announced separately and advised applicants to follow its official social media channels for updates.

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